In Thursday’s (4/7) Detroit Free Press, Mark Stryker writes, “On the one hand it looked and sounded like any other Detroit Symphony Orchestra rehearsal. On the other hand, it was anything but. The DSO musicians returned to the Orchestra Hall stage this morning for their first rehearsal since reaching a tentative contract agreement Sunday to end the epic six-month strike. With music conductor Leonard Slatkin on the podium, the orchestra started the session with the optimistic strains of Dvorak’s ‘New World Symphony.’ ‘I’m very glad to be back,’ said bassist Larry Hutchinson, as he walked toward the stage door before rehearsal. ‘I can’t wait to kiss the stage.’ … While the formal ratification vote on the new contract won’t begin until about 2 p.m. today and finish until sometime Friday, the musicians decided earlier this week that they would return to work for rehearsals today in preparation for weekend concerts. The contract, endorsed by the musicians’ negotiating committee, is expected to be approved. All the tickets for the free patron appreciation concerts Saturday and Sunday were quickly snapped up this week. … DSO officials expect to announce the schedule for the rest of the spring either Friday or Monday, followed in the near future with plans for next season.”
The Sunday concert will be streamed live at 3 p.m. from the orchestra’s site and wrcjfm.org, and broadcast at 7:30 p.m. on WTVS Channel 56. For details, visit the DSO website.
Posted April 8, 2011
